As a replacement for an older bach on the same site, this project focused on some tight technical parameters to produce a practical solution.
The direction of design for this project changed significantly when this contemporary concept was shown as a surprise alternative to the owner's original intent. They embraced the new ideas about the design's relationship to the unique contours, sunlight and views of Marlborough Sounds. Through good design, the overall concept has offered much more to the family.
A bach for an extended family should offer a different experience of living to weekdays in town. The layout is informal and service areas are communal and compact. A large deck provides essential flat outdoor living space.
Every room has a view of the bay – the bedrooms through sliding doors and a glazed gallery.
"The design brief to provide a flexible multi-generation holiday home was fully met.
The 4 large bedrooms each with a double bed and three fold-away bunks give great flexibility to accommodate the various families that use the holiday home at the same time.
The lower bedrooms and large open plan kitchen/living room all open out onto a 100 sq mtr glass fronted deck via bi-fold doors making for great indoor/outdoor living.
The building is perfectly sited to capture all year round sun and expansive views down the sound yet fits back into the native bush in such a way that it makes it difficult to see from the sea and as a result makes the building very private.
The remote sea access-only location and the requirement that part of the original cottage needed to be temporally retained for storage and the builders and owners use posed design problems that were successfully overcome. The build itself required all materials to be barged to the bay and then be lifted onto site by helicopter which necessitated some careful scheduling to minimise cost.
In all a great solution that meets all our needs."
Click here to see the design process
